National Park reacts to bird crime report

North Yorkshire tops the league table in the annual bird crime report just released by the RSPB.

The RSPB’s 2020 Birdcrime report has revealed that North Yorkshire is yet again the worst place in the UK for the illegal killing of birds of prey. The nature charity says that much of the persecution is linked directly to driven grouse shooting and has called for the industry to be regulated.

The figures in the 2020 report are the highest number recorded since the first Birdcrime report in 1990, and North Yorkshire has topped the table for the seventh year in a row.

In April 2020, North Yorkshire Police officers found five dead buzzards on a grouse moor on the edge of Bransdale in the North York Moors. Four of the birds were confirmed to have been shot, and the injuries of the fifth were ‘suggestive of damage from a shotgun pellet’.

Commenting on the RSPB Birdcrime Report 2020, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Chief Executive David Butterworth said:  

 “This report makes grim reading for all landscape authorities, landowners, managers and other partners who are working hard to call out and tackle illegal raptor persecution, and it’s embarrassing and humiliating to see North Yorkshire yet again topping the league table with the highest number of confirmed incidents. 

“As we’ve said before, the continuing issue of bird of prey persecution in North Yorkshire demands maximum exposure, as do the activities of those who take part in this criminality. People need to know what is happening here and the devastating impact this is having on our protected species. This report lays that bare. 

"The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority condemns raptor persecution in the strongest possible terms and, as highlighted in this report, we will continue to work closely with partners and others to stamp out this crime once and for all. 

“I would appeal to anyone, local or visitor, who witnesses any suspicious activity while they’re out and about in the countryside, or anyone who is made aware of it through their networks, to contact the Police”. 

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan objective C5 on illegal persecution of raptors can be viewed here. 

For concerns about a possible wildlife crime, you should call 101. If you witness a suspected wildlife crime in action, call 999 immediately and ask for the Police. Finally, you can speak in confidence about raptor persecution directly with the RSPB on 0300 9990101.